In This Issue· The Daily Brief
· The Middle East in Focus
· The First 100 Days
· The Good News Corner
Greetings!
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The Daily Brief Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009
"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." (Proverbs 21:1)
The Daily Brief
1. Bomb Explodes; Threatens Ceasefire as US Envoy Arrives in the Middle East - Worthy News
The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was threatened today when a bomb exploded near the Kissufim crossing not far from the Gaza border fence killing an Israel Defense Force (IDF) soldier and injuring three others. The attack occurred just as the U.S. envoy led by former U.S. Senator George Mitchell arrives in the Middle East, and as U.S. President Barack Obama stated on Al-Arabiya Television that the "moment is ripe" to achieve a lasting peace.
· Pray for the safety of former Senator Mitchell throughout his journey to the Middle East.
· " . . . if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven." (Matthew 18:19)
2. Obama Approves Funding Abortions Worldwide - Worthy News
Pro-life activists were weighing their options Monday, January 26, after President Barack Obama signed an executive order ending the ban on federal funds for international groups that perform abortions or provide information on the option. The Bush administration had barred U.S. money from the fund, claiming t its work in China supported a Chinese family planning policy of coercive abortion and involuntary sterilization. UNFPA has denied that it does.In a move related to the lifting of the abortion rule, Obama was also expected to restore funding to the controversial United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), probably in the next budget.
· Father God, we ask for Your intervention in this matter. We bind any attempts to place laws in our nation that will go against Your laws in Jesus' name. We pray for salvation for all our legislators!
· "Their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed innocent blood; Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; Wasting and destruction are in their paths." (Isaiah 59:7) "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)
3. U.S. Supreme Court Kills Child Online Protection Act - Worthy News
The law, passed by Congress and signed by former President Bill Clinton in 1998, would have provided civil and criminal penalties for those offering material deemed "harmful to minors" on the Internet, including pornography. However, the ACLU and others took legal steps against the legislation, saying it violated the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and argued that internet filters were more effective than COPA.
· We pray that those that come against children will be thwarted in their attempts to harm children. We pray that they will be caught quickly and punished severely. We pray especially for protection for children for online activities.
· "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea." (Matthew 18:6)
4. Governments Race To Nationalize Banks Amid Global Meltdown - Worthy News
The Obama administration has suggested creating a state-owned "bad bank" that would buy up loans and other troubled assets, seen as major causes of the financial crisis, and sell them later at what analysts fear will be a "substantial loss". Officials say it is likely that Obama's bank plan will require more than the roughly $320 billion remaining in the financial rescue program approved by the U.S. Congress last fall.
· We pray for wisdom for those that are creating solutions to our economic crisis. Let them see far into the future how their decisions can impact our nation. Let nothing detrimental be consiidered or legislated!
· "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it, lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him." (Luke 14:28,29)
5. U.S. to gather DNA from illegal immigrants - Los Angeles Times
Immigration detainees and others arrested for federal crimes will be forced to provide DNA samples beginning in January under new rules promulgated by the Justice Department this week, raising the ire of immigrant-rights and other groups. University of California, Davis, law school dean Kevin Johnson said the rules are likely to be challenged in court because they violate the privacy rights of people who have not been convicted of a crime. "It's unfair on so many levels it's hard to describe," Johnson said. "You can make the argument that we should take the DNA of the entire population because if we did it could help us solve crimes. But we've made this decision that as a society, that the freedoms that we stand for are more important."
· Lord, as our nation begins to enact laws that would be for our protection, let our leaders only put laws in place that cannot be used later against Christians.
· "And you, Ezra, according to your God- given wisdom, set magistrates and judges who may judge all the people who are in the region beyond the River, all such as know the laws of your God; and teach those who do not know them." (Ezra 7:25)
6. U.S. Judge Bans Moment of Silence in Illinois Schools - Worthy News
Schools in the American state of Illinois were pressured Monday, January 26, to abandon a moment of silence for prayer or reflection, after a judge ruled the practice was "unconstitutional" and "forced religion" upon minors. Many of the school districts dropped the moments of silence, however not all of them complied. This latest decision prompted the Illinois Principals Association to issue a notice on Thursday, January 22, telling schools they should immediately discontinue the practice on Monday, January 26.
· Lord, we pray for righteous judges in our nation. Remove swiftly these that come against You by making laws that cause people to stumble!
· "But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers." (1 Timothy 1:9)
7. 93-year-old froze to death, owed big utility bill - AP
A 93-year-old man froze to death inside his home just days after the municipal power company restricted his use of electricity because of unpaid bills, officials said. A city utility worker had installed a "limiter" device to restrict the use of electricity at Schur's home on Jan. 13, Belleman said. The device limits power reaching a home and blows out like a fuse if consumption rises past a set level. Power is not restored until the device is reset. Neighbors discovered Schur's body on Jan. 17. They said the indoor temperature was below 32 degrees at the time, The Bay City Times reported Monday.
· We pray for the homeless, the sick, the elderly and the poor during these hard times in our nation - that they will have protection and provision. Let no one be neglected or die from lack!
· "However, there should be no poor among you, for in the land the Lord, your God, is giving you to possess as your inheritance, He will richly bless you." (Deuteronomy 15:4 NIV)
8. Hungary's Prime Minister Urges Anti Hate Speech Legislation Amid Right-Wing Attacks - Worthy News
Extremism has spread in Hungary and other Eastern European countries, especially since the collapse of Communism, exactly two decades ago this year, in part because people began testing how far freedom of speech can be permitted, according to analysts. Hungarian Prime Minister Gyurcsany suggested at a conference that it was therefore time for tougher anti- hate speech laws. He accused the country's right wing and liberals of "attacking human rights" by blocking the government's attempts to implement the legislation.
· Lord, we pray for Your wisdom for all the laws against hate speech. Protect people who are at the receiving end of hatred, but let these laws not be used against Christians preaching against ungodliness.
· "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor . . . To proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind." (Luke 4:18)
The Middle East in Focus
The Middle East in Focus This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE: "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:12,13)
1. EU aid chief: Hamas has 'enormous responsibility' for Gaza war - Reuters
Standing in the war-torn Gaza Strip on Monday, the European Union's foreign aid chief condemned Hamas for acting like "a terrorist movement," and accused the Islamist group of having "enormous responsibility" for the devastation caused during Gaza in three weeks of fighting between Hamas and Israel. Louis Michel was among the most senior foreign officials to visit the coastal enclave since Hamas seized control in 2007.
2. Egypt press Hamas to accept truce, prisoner swap before Bibi wins - ICEJ News
Fatah wants reconciliation pact before ceasefire, rebuilding Gaza Egypt is pressing Hamas to relax its demands and agree on a cease-fire and prisoner exchange with Israel before a far less accommodating government under Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu is elected in two weeks time, the pan-Arab daily Asharq Al-Awsat reported Monday.
3. POLLS: LIKUD LEADS KADIMA BY 4 MANDATES - ICEJ News
With under three weeks left before Israel's national elections, several polls released on Friday indicate a tightening four-seat race between Likud under Benjamin Netanyahu and the ruling Kadima party led by Tzipi Livni. . . Three polls released earlier this week, just after the end of the IDF offensive in Gaza, had given the Likud a lead of eight to 12 Knesset seats over Kadima.Meantime, cabinet minister Isaac Herzog of Labor on Friday mimicked recent claims by Kadima that if Netanyahu is elected prime minister, he will find it difficult to work with new US President Barack Obama. "It will be hard because it seems that Netanyahu's policies will be in direct contrast with those of Obama," Herzog told Army Radio. "That's how I see it." Likud dismissed Herzog's comments, stating that Netanyahu knew the leaders of the US administration well and spoke with them on a regular basis. The party went on to say that Netanyahu had cooperated well with Washington in the past and would do so in the future, the radio station reported.
· Many American Christians have cheered on Netanyahu because he seems to understand the Christian support of Israel, and he has had long-time relationship with America. Generally, Netanyahu is a strong leader, not one to easily cave in to fear and political pressure. Pray for the success and safety of Mr. Netanyahu.
· "Blessed is the man whom You choose, And cause to approach You that he may dwell in Your courts." (Psalm 65:4a)
4. PRAYERS FOR WOUNDED ISRAELI SOLDIERS
Yesterday Ruth Shlossman, Pliyah, two women from the U.S. and I visited wounded soldiers in Soroka Hospital in Beersheva. All of the mothers of the wounded (the wounded were in Intensive Care and could not be seen) begged for prayer, prayer, and more prayer for their sons. Below are their updates. These boys are seriously in danger. Please pour out your hearts in prayer for them.
-- Dvir ben Leah was the first soldier wounded on the very first day of the war. He has not returned to consciousness since. He is the only one in Soroka who has not woken up at all. When we handed his mother an Ipod for him [bought by the American friend], she cried. I believe she cried because she wonders whether he will ever be able to use it. Please pour out your hearts that Dvir ben Leah will wake up and have all his faculties restored. {His legs are badly wounded also.}
-- Neria ben Rivka has woken up sometimes, but then lapses again into unconsciousness. He is still in Intensive Care. His mother said that prayer is the only thing that can help Neria.
-- Li-al Hoshaya HaCohen ben Miriam, 22 years old, was described by his young wife as "sometimes half- conscious. " He is in Intensive Care. His mother Miriam begs us to pray for her son.
-- Ben ben Keti Shifra was released from Intensive Care a couple hours before our visit. He was wounded in the brain. He is conscious and understands what is said to him, but he cannot yet speak.
-- Orel ben Angela is a 7-year-old boy from Beersheva who was wounded by a Grad missile fired by Hamas. He has not regained consciousness since the attack. A piece of shrapnel is lodged in a place in his brain that makes the doctors not dare to operate to remove it. When the day comes that he is healed, his mother hopes to bring him to the Kotel. How about we all get together and make a Seudat Hodaya on that glorious day? (Friends in Israel)
· Do lift these Israeli soldiers to the Lord for healing (Jehovah Rophe). The Lord is able to heal broken hearts as well as broken bodies. Pray even for any Palestinians who have been wounded so that when they experience the healing power of the Lord, they will know and acknowledge Him and turn from the wickedness of Hamas.
· "The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5b)
The First 100 Days
Often as a new man is sworn into the office of The President of the United States, the world watches how he performs in his first 100 days. As our new president, like all presidents before him, pursues his own first 100 days in office, please agree with this promise from the Word of God for him.
"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." (Proverbs 21:1 NIV)
1. Obama Urges GOP to Keep Politics to a Minimum on Stimulus
President Obama said he respects philosophical differences with Republicans but wants to keep politics to a minimum so they can get the economy back on track.
2. Clinton: Iran Has 'Clear Opportunity' to Cooperate With International Community
President Barack Obama's intent to change the direction of U.S. foreign policy gives Iran a "clear opportunity" to engage more productively on its nuclear program and other issues, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Tuesday.In her first remarks to reporters at the State Department, Clinton said Obama's first days in office have made it clear that a more open Iranian approach to the international community could benefit Iran. She said this was reflected in statements Obama made in an interview Monday with an Arab TV network.
3. Obama Issues Memoranda to Increase Fuel Efficiency, Possibly Let States Decide Emissions Rules
President Obama continued his reversal of Bush-era policies, issuing two memoranda on Monday that promote his clean-energy policy while having a far- reaching impact on the ailing U.S. auto industry. The first memorandum ordered the Transportation Department to work out rules for automakers to improve fuel economy. The second memorandum ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider California's request for a waiver from the Clean Air Act .
4. Obama Economic Adviser Predicts Relief Within Weeks of Stimulus Passage
Measures to save law enforcement and teaching jobs will help cities see changes rapidly while withholding changes on paychecks could come "within weeks" of passage of an economic stimulus plan now being considered by Congress, one of President Obama's top advisers said Sunday. National Economic Council director Lawrence Summers said despite the fact the U.S. economy's problems took months or years to create -- and it may take just as long to solve them -- immediate stimulus could come with hundreds of billions of dollars in government spending and tax cuts.
5. Irritated Obama 'Stares Down' Reporter During Press Corps Visit
When a reporter tried to quiz President Obama on Thursday about a lobbyist chosen for a top Defense Department job, the president quickly became agitated.
6. Former Lobbyist Nominated to Pentagon Agrees to Sell Raytheon StockPentagon nominee William J. Lynn won't be forced to step back from all decisions related to his former employer.
The Good News Corner
The Good News Corner --"the No Cussing Club"
In 2007, a 14 year old California boy named McKay Hatch was also bothered by the foul language of his peers. Hatch says on his website, "A lot of kids at my school, and some of my friends, would cuss and use dirty language all the time. . .They didn't even realize how much they were doing it until I said something. I was actually surprised at how they reacted; they accepted my No Cussing Challenge." He started the No Cussing Club at his school and it caught on pretty fast, now having over 30,000 members worldwide. Club members take the No Cussing Club challenge to use better language. Hatch's mission is to "Leave people better than you found them" by lifting them up through words of encouragement .
Here is the kicker: Hatch has received over 60,000 threatening and negative emails, people have pranked his family by sending unpaid pizzas and pornography to his house, and many are trying to shut him down because they say his club infringes on the right to free speech. The now 15 year old Hatch says he will not let the bullies win and the FBI is investigating. McKay Hatch is a 15 year old example of what is right and good about America. Ephesians 4:29 says, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." I appreciate Christian's and McKay's reminder that we ought to heed God's words with our words.
[Note to our readers: As darkness continues to cover the earth, just as was prophesied in Isaiah 60, we must work harder to find the light that still shines in our midst. So, every day we will publish a short "good news report" to help lift our spirits. Today's report is an excerpt of yesterday's Daily Jot, written by Bill Wilson. (www.dailyjot.com)
If YOU have a "good news report" to share with us, please send it to me, Sara Ballenger, at chpp@patriot.net, and we will include your message, as we can. Thank you!]
